Intro to XMLDr. Lam

TECM5191

Why XML?

• Text CHRISLAM138 to 22333

So, why XML?

1. Useful for sharing data between formats

2. Requires structure and hierarchy while still being extremely flexible

3. Inherently semantic and intended for humans AND machines

4. Extremely simple (just text describing text). That’s it.

XML is: Useful for sharing data between formats

• XML can be transformed using languages like XSLT or XFOP to output data in a variety of formats.• Essentially what makes the single source for

single sourcing

• XML has both an input and output path• Data can be put into XML (e.g., from MySQL

database into XML document)• Data can be parsed from XML (e.g., XML

document into XLS or CSV file)

XML Requires structure and hierarchy while still being

extremely flexible

<address><street_number>123</street_number>

<street_name>Fake</street_name>

<street_type>Street</street_type>

<city>Denton</city>

<state>Texas</state>

<zip>76201</zip>

</address>

XML is Inherently semantic and intended for humans AND machines

<address><street_number>123</street_number>

<street_name>Fake</street_name>

<street_type>Street</street_type>

<city>Denton</city>

<state>Texas</state>

<zip>76201</zip>

</address>

XML Rules

1. All tags that open must close

2. Tags are case sensitive (always use lowercase!)

3. Tags close in the reverse order they open

4. Documents must have a root element

5. Values must be quoted

Let’s Practice

Mark it up! Choose two faculty members to create an XML schema.

Push to Git.

http://tc.unt.edu/faculty